I have neglected my blog for the past few weeks in exchange for precious quality time with my family. And while the weeks did yield some very good and typical kid story topics, which I will definitely be putting here soon, I want to focus today on my gratitude for family.

As the oldest of five girls, I have watched the others grow up and mature into beautiful women. Each are talented and unique. All of them have gone to college and graduated, three of them have gotten married, two of us have started families of our own.

Growing up, there were many things I never thought would happen, some good, some bad. I never imagined that one of my sisters would marry and move across the pond, while another would marry and move even farther – to Australia! And it definitely seemed that the years during which we lived together under one roof would never end! But somehow, during the blinking of an eye, we have grown and moved out, one by one.

The struggles that we have had as individuals have affected our family as a whole. And we have overcome these struggles as a family and have been strengthened by them. We have shared each other’s joys and successes, as well as each other’s heartaches and sorrows. When one of us has a problem or an issue, it hurts all of us. We are amazingly close, even when fighting, and I pray this never changes!

The past two weeks I have been able to spend time with three of my sisters, and in a few weeks, I hope to be with all four of them. It has been beautiful watching as our own children play together and form lifelong bonds. Time is short and life is so very, very precious. As children, we don’t realize how fleeting this world is… we simply take each moment as it comes. As adults, we take for granted our time, yet ironically, always find ourselves wishing we had more of it. But sometimes we do get to slow down a few paces and just be thankful for what we have. Often I feel as though the years are quickly slipping through my fingers like running water, and it brings a great sadness to my heart. I want to capture each moment and bottle it up so that I may revisit it over and over again, as my heart desires. Instead, I am learning simply to be grateful for every day I am given… Every moment I can spend with one of these amazing women… every phone call or visit with my mom or dad… every picture we snap of each other… is a GIFT. And I am very, very thankful and my heart is happy!